Rotary manipulation type input device and electronic apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A rotary manipulation type input device obtains a specified output by detecting intensity changes of magnetic field due to rotation of an operating element by a detecting element disposed on a substrate beneath a base, using a ring-shaped magnet disposed at the lower side of the operating element disposed rotatably on the base. By rotary manipulation of the operating element, an attractive and repulsive force is generated between the ring-shaped magnetic and the magnetic disposed on the base, so that an operation contact click-feeling is obtained, and therefore the rotary click-feeling and signal output can be synchronized easily, and deterioration of rotary click-feeling is very rare.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary manipulation type inputdevice for telephone directory retrieval or various input operations,and an electronic apparatus using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A rotary manipulation type input device of magnetic system isused for selecting and setting operations of various items displayed ona screen such as character inputs in an electronic apparatus.

[0003] Such conventional rotary manipulation type input device isexplained below while referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0004]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of rotary manipulation type inputdevice of magnetic system in a prior art, and FIG. 5 shows a rotarymanipulation click-feeling generating mechanism which is one of theessential parts thereof. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a substrate 101 is a flatplate, which is located in the bottom of the rotary manipulation typeinput device. A box-shaped case 102 opened downward is coupled above thesubstrate 101.

[0005] A dent 101A is formed in the middle of the top of the substrate101, and a penetration hole 102A is provided in the top of the case 102located at its opposite position.

[0006] A rotary member 103 is composed by fixing a lower columnar shaft103A, an upper columnar operation shaft 103B, and a disk 103C. The disk103C is positioned between the columnar shaft 103A and operation shaft103B. The disk 103C has a magnet which is not shown. In order that thedisk 103C is positioned within an internal space formed by the substrate101 and case 102, the columnar shaft 103A is rotatably fitted into thedent 101A of the substrate 101. The operation shaft 103B is assembled ina state projecting outward from the penetration hole 102A of the case102.

[0007] Near the periphery of the disk 103C, a detecting element 104 suchas MR element capable of detecting intensity changes of magnetic fieldis disposed, and its terminal 104A projects outward by way of thesubstrate 101.

[0008] An elastic spring 105 is fixed on the top of the disk 103C so asto rotate together with the rotary member 103. A protruding contactportion 105A disposed on the elastic spring 105 elastically contactswith undulations 106 formed regularly at the lower side of the top ofthe case 102.

[0009] The conventional magnetic rotary manipulation type input deviceis composed in such manner. When the rotary member 103 is rotated byturning the operation shaft 103B projecting outward, the magnet of thedisk 103C is turned together to change the distribution state of themagnetic field. Fluctuations of the magnetic field intensity are read bythe detecting element 104, and a specified signal is sent out from theterminal 104A.

[0010] At this time of rotary manipulation, the elastic spring 105elastically slides on the undulations 106 in a direction indicated byarrow 107 in FIG. 5, and thereby produces a click-feeling.

[0011] This click-feeling is transmitted to the user as a sense ofrotary manipulation at the time of rotation.

[0012] This elastic spring 105 also functions as rotation preventivemechanism to prevent issue of wrong signal due to unexpected rotation ofthe rotary member 103 in an ordinary state not manipulated by rotation.In the ordinary state, the contact portion 105A is stopped so as topress the side portion of the dents of the undulations 106 by aspecified elastic force.

[0013] In such conventional magnetic rotary manipulation type inputdevice, however, while the click-feeling is generated at the time ofrotary manipulation by combining the elastic spring 105 formed bybending process and the undulations 106 of the case 102, intensitychanges of the magnetic field due to move of the magnet attached to therotary member 103 are detected by the detecting element 104 so as toobtain the amount of rotation of the rotary member 103 or the like. Itwas hence difficult to synchronize between the rotary click-feeling andsignal output.

[0014] Or by repeating rotary manipulation, the undulations 106 of thecase 102 are worn, and deterioration of rotary click-feeling is likelyto occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A rotary manipulation type input device comprises:

[0016] an operating element for rotary manipulation;

[0017] a ring-shaped magnet magnetized in plural poles, being fitted tothe lower side of the operating element concentrically in the center ofrotation;

[0018] a base for rotatably supporting the operating element;

[0019] a detecting element for detecting the rotation of the ring-shapedmagnetic due to rotary manipulation of the operating element withoutmaking contact; and

[0020] a magnetic element fitted to the base so as to confront thering-shaped magnet, for generating an operation contact click-feeling byforming an attractive and repulsive force against the ring-shapedmagnet.

[0021] An electronic apparatus comprises:

[0022] a memory unit storing plural pieces of data;

[0023] a display unit for displaying at least a part of data stored inthe memory unit;

[0024] the rotary manipulation type input device mentioned above; and

[0025] a switch, in which a desired item is searched from the datastored in the memory unit by rotating the operating element, and thesearched item is determined by manipulating the switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a rotary manipulation type inputdevice in an embodiment of the invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the rotary manipulationtype input device shown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a sectional view explaining the pressing operation stateof the switch in the rotary manipulation type input device shown in FIG.1.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional magnetic rotarymanipulation type input device.

[0030]FIG. 5 shows a rotary manipulation click-feeling generatingmechanism as an essential part of the rotary manipulation type inputdevice shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The invention is directed to solve the problems of the prior art,and it is hence an object thereof to present a magnetic rotarymanipulation type input device easy to synchronize the rotary contactclick-feeling and signal output, and free from deterioration of rotarycontact click-feeling if manipulation is repeated, and an electronicapparatus using the same.

[0032] An embodiment of the invention is described below, referring toFIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

[0033] (Embodiment)

[0034]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a rotary manipulation type inputdevice in an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is its perspectiveexploded view. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an operating element 11 is made ofresin, and is formed substantially in a circular ring. At its lowerside, a magnetic plate 12 made of silicon steel or magnetic stainlesssteel similarly processing in a ring form is disposed, and a ring-shapedmagnet 13 is overlaid concentrically beneath it.

[0035] The magnetic plate 12 and ring-shaped magnet 13 are integrallyfixed to the operating element 11 precisely by insert forming process.

[0036] The ring-shaped magnet 13 has its N poles and S poles magnetizedat specified angle alternately or in the same polarity only.

[0037] In FIG. 2, for the ease of understanding, the magnetized portionof the ring-shaped magnet 13 is indicated by shaded area.

[0038] The ring-shaped magnet 13 is composed of individual magnetslinked by means of resin to form a ring shape, or is formed in a C-shapein a top view with an opening in one part.

[0039] The operating element 11 is rotatably supported on a ring-shapedwall 14A provided on the outer periphery of the top of a base 14 inwhich a magnet 15 for generating manipulation contact click-feeling isfixed.

[0040] The magnet 15 and the lower side of the ring-shaped magnet 13 aredisposed face to face while maintaining a specified interval in thevertical direction.

[0041] The magnet 15 for generating manipulation contact click-feelingis a mere magnetic element.

[0042] The base 14 is also formed in a ring shape having a penetrationhole 14B in the center, and a hole 14D is provided in a specified anglerange between the inner tube 14C and ring-shaped wall 14A.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral wall of the inner tube14C of the base 14 is rotatably engaged with the inner periphery of adefining wall 11A of circular ring form provided at the lower side ofthe operating element 11.

[0044] On the other hand, on the top of a substrate 20, one or aplurality of detecting elements 21 capable of detecting intensitychanges of magnetic field such as MR elements are mounted and installedat specified angle positions. To cover the detecting elements 21, anelastic insulating sheet 22 is provided.

[0045] A mechanical section comprising the operating element 11,magnetic plate 12, ring-shaped magnet 13 and base 14 is combined on theinsulating sheet 22.

[0046] That is, the detecting element 21 is positioned in the hole 14Dof the base 14 through the insulating sheet 22 so as to be opposite tothe ring-shaped magnet 13 in the vertical direction, and the lower sideof the ring-shaped magnet 13 and the upper side of the insulating sheet22 on the detecting element 21 are combined so as to be disposed acrossa slight gap in the vertical direction.

[0047] Thus, the ring-shaped magnet 13 is opposite to the detectingelements 21 mounted on the substrate 20 through the insulating sheet 22.

[0048] A press switch 23 is disposed at the position of the substrate 20confronting the penetration hole 14B provided in the center of the base14 in the vertical direction.

[0049] The composition of the switch 23 is not particularly specified,but in this embodiment, the lower end of the outer periphery of amovable contact 25 processed in an upward convex dome shape made of athin elastic metal plate is put on an outside fixed contact 24 disposedon the substrate 20, and the lower side of the center of the movablecontact 25 is opposite to a central fixed contact 26 disposed on thesubstrate 20 at a specified interval.

[0050] The switch 23 having such composition is preferred because thethickness of the switch contact portion can be decreased.

[0051] The movable contact 25 is adhered and fixed to the top of thesubstrate 20 by means of an elastic insulating tape 25A.

[0052] An operation button 30 is put on the insulating tape 25A of theswitch contact portion by way of the insulating sheet 22. This operationbutton 30 is disposed inside of the penetration hole 14B of the base 14,and the periphery of a flange 30A is defined by the inner wall of theinner tube 14C of the base 14 so as to be movable in the verticaldirection. The top of the flange 30A abuts against the lower side of theperiphery of the circular central hole 11B of the operating element 11,and thereby the upward position is defined.

[0053] Since the insulating sheet 22 is put on the switch contactportion of the switch 23 and the detecting element 21, the switchcontact area of the substrate 20 and the mounting area of the detectingelement 21 are protected, and protection from dust and liquid drops isexcellent.

[0054] Further, by covering all parts mounted on other positions of thesubstrate 20 by this insulating sheet 22, the entire substrate 20 isprotected from dust and liquid drops.

[0055] On the top of the operating element 11, small radiant protrusions11C are provided at equal intervals on the concentric circumference inthe center of rotation of the operating element 11.

[0056] The upper end of the operation button 30 is exposed upward fromthe circular central hole 11B of the operating element 11, and itsheight position is same as or slightly higher than the small protrusions11C of the operating element 11.

[0057] A fixing member 40 is made of a housing or the like, and theinsulating sheet 22 is pressed down tightly on the substrate 20 at theleading end of a leg 40A projecting downward, and the base 14 ispositioned and fixed by an inner step 40B provided in the leg 40A.

[0058] This fixing member 40 is not shown in FIG. 2.

[0059] Further inside of the inner step 40B, a protruding upper wall 40Cis provided, and is designed to cover above the top peripheral portionnot provided with the small protrusions 11C of the operating element 11across a specified interval. By this upper wall 40C, the operatingelement 11 is prevented from slipping out upward.

[0060] That is, the specified range of the top center of the operatingelement 11 and the operation button 30 of the switch 23 disposed insideof the operating element 11 are designed to be exposed from the fixingmember 40.

[0061] The rotary manipulation type input device of the embodiment is amagnetic mechanism being thus composed, and its operation is asexplained below.

[0062] First, a case of manipulating the top of the ring-shapedoperating elemental by rotating on the horizontal plane by a finger isexplained. The operating element 11 rotates horizontally as beingdefined by the outer wall of the inner tube 14C of the base 14, and thering-shaped magnet 13 rotates at the same time because it is fixedthereto.

[0063] At this time, since small protrusions 11C are formed on theoperating element 11, the finger catches the small protrusions 11C.Therefore, the finger does not slip and it is easy to manipulate in asimple structure, and this rotation is continuous without leaving thefinger.

[0064] Along with rotation of the ring-shaped magnet 13, thedistribution profile of the magnetic field varies, and intensity changesof the magnetic field are detected by the detecting element 21, and anoutput of specified rotation information is obtained from the detectingelement 21.

[0065] Since two or more detecting elements 21 are provided, bydisposing them so that their outputs are obtained as pulse outputshaving a phase difference, both of the rotating distance and rotatingdirection can be detected. That is, a function as a so-called rotarytype encoder is realized.

[0066] Moreover, since the magnetic plate 12 is interposed between theoperating element 11 and ring-shaped magnet 13, magnetic field leakingoutside from the top of the operating element 11 can be cut off, and theintensity of the magnetic field is increased in the lower part of thering-shaped magnet 13 where the magnetic plate 12 is not provided. As aresult, the intensity of the magnetic field varies along with therotation of the operating element 11, so that the precision of detectionis very high.

[0067] On the other hand, during rotary manipulation on the operatingelement 11, the magnet 15 for generating manipulation click-feelingdisposed in the base 14 repeats attraction and repulsion against thering-shaped magnet 13, and this attractive and repulsive force isobtained as a manipulation click-feeling.

[0068] At this time, the intensity of the magnetic field from thering-shaped magnet 13 is strong as mentioned above, and a favorablemanipulation click-feeling is obtained.

[0069] Thus, according to the embodiment, a specified output is obtainedfrom the detecting element 21 when the intensity of the magnetic fieldvaries due to rotation of one ring-shaped magnet 13. At the same time,the attractive and repulsive force against the magnet 15 is obtained asa rotation click-feeling, so that the signal output and rotationclick-feeling can be synchronized easily.

[0070] If desired to form at lower cost in this constitution, only onepole is magnetized in the ring-shaped magnet 13, and the magnet 15 isreplaced by a mere magnetic element.

[0071] If rotary manipulation of the operating element 11 is a differentmethod, the same effects are obtained.

[0072] In an ordinary state without rotary manipulation, the operatingelement 11 is stopped at the balanced position of magnetic field betweenthe magnet 15 and ring-shaped magnet 13, and it does not rotateunexpectedly.

[0073] When the operation button 30 exposed from the circular centralhole 11B of the operating element 11 is pressed, that is, when theswitch 23 is pressed, the operation is as follows. As indicated by arrow50 in FIG. 3, when the upper end of the operation button 30 is presseddown by a finger or the like, the operation button 30 moves downwardwhile the periphery of the flange 30A is defined by the inner peripheralwall of the inner tube 14C of the base 14, and the center of the movablecontact 25 is pressed by the lower end of the operation button 30 by wayof the insulating sheet 22.

[0074] When a specified pressing force is applied, as shown in FIG. 3,the movable contact 25 is inverted properly with tactile-feeling, andthe central lower side contacts with the central fixed contact 26. As aresult, the outside fixed contact point 24 on which the outer lower endof the movable contact 25 is placed and the central fixed contact 26 areelectrically connected, and leader portions being led out from the bothfixed contacts 24 and 26 conduct with each other (not shown).

[0075] When the pressing force on the operation button 30 is removed,the movable contact 25 restores its original shape by the own elasticrestoring force, and the central lower side is parted from the centralfixed contact 26, and the outside fixed contact 24 and central fixedcontact 26 are electrically isolated again, and the operation button 30is pushed up to the original position by the restoring force.

[0076] In this pressing manipulation, when the operating element 11positioned on the periphery of the operation button 30 is touched by afinger or the like, since the operating element 11 is fixed at thebalanced position of magnetic field of the magnet 15 and ring-shapedmagnet 13, error signal is not generated.

[0077] The rotary manipulation and pressing manipulation are conductedwithin the circular area of the outer periphery of the operating element11 in the outside diameter, and the finger moving distance is short, andmanipulation can be continued smoothly.

[0078] Besides, the rotary click-feeling generating mechanism asrotation preventive mechanism of the operating element 11 is composedwithout making contact, by making use of attractive and repulsive forceof the magnet 15 and ring-shaped magnet 13, and therefore deteriorationof rotary contact click-feeling is very small, and a favorable rotarycontact click-feeling can be always obtained.

[0079] Thus, in the rotary manipulation type input device of theinvention, the rotary click-feeling and signal output can besynchronized easily, and rotary click-feeling is not deteriorated ifrotary manipulation on the operating element 11 is repeated.

[0080] Various electronic apparatuses mounting the rotary manipulationtype input device of the embodiment of the invention are explainedbelow.

[0081] An electronic apparatus comprises a memory unit, a display unit,and a rotary manipulation type input device having a switch 23 disposedinside of an operating element 11 as explained in the embodiment. Thememory unit stores data such as telephone directory in a specifiedarray. For example, on the basis of a first signal from the detectingelement 21 obtained by rotary manipulation of the operating element 11,a telephone number is selected as a desired item from the data such astelephone directory stored in the memory unit. In this process, anecessary portion of the data stored in the memory unit is properlydisplayed in the display unit. On the basis of a second signal obtainedin the conductive state of the switch contact by pressing manipulationof the switch 23, operations of decision and setting the selectedtelephone number, transmiting it, or the like are executed.

[0082] This is only one example of usage, and various functions arerealized by assigning the first signal and second signal with necessaryfunctions.

[0083] At this time, the rotary manipulation and pressing manipulationcan be done easily and continuously in a small finger movement, so thatan electronic apparatus excellent in controllability is realized.

[0084] Having the switch 23, two individual signals are obtained, and itis easy to follow up diversity of the appliance functions, or if switch23 is not provided, since deterioration of manipulation contactclick-feeling is small, an excellent controllability is obtained.

[0085] This rotary manipulation type input device is very thin, if theswitch 23 is provided, and is small and compact in the projection areacorresponding to the manipulating range, so that it is easily applicableto thinner or smaller apparatuses.

[0086] When the manipulation on the operating element 11 is rotarymanipulation on a horizontal plane at the upper side, it is applicableto a thinner appliance, but when used in an ordinary rotary manipulationof an operation knob, the operating element is rotated by holding itsperiphery.

[0087] The switch 23 is not limited to the shown structure, but, forexample, a slide type is used, or a multi-directional operation typehaving plural switch contacts or combination of such types is alsoapplicable.

[0088] The rotary manipulation type input device of the invention isdesigned to detect the rotary information by the detecting element,using the ring-shaped magnet installed at the lower side of theoperating element for generating signal, and a magnetic element isdisposed at a position corresponding to the ring-shaped magnet, and anattractive and repulsive force generated against the ring-shaped magnetis detected as sensation of rotary manipulation. Therefore it canrealize a magnetic rotary manipulation type input device easy tosynchronize between the rotary click-feeling and signal output, and freefrom deterioration of rotary click-feeling if manipulation is repeated.

[0089] By using the magnetic plate, magnetic field leaking out from theoperating unit can be cut off, and the intensity of the magnetic fieldis increased beneath the ring-shaped magnet where magnetic plate is notprovided. Accordingly, only by disposing the detecting element ormagnetic element beneath the ring-shaped magnet, detection of rotaryinformation at high precision and favorable rotary click-feeling can beobtained.

[0090] Besides, by inserting a sheet between the mechanical blockcomprising the operating element, ring-shaped magnet and base, and thesubstrate on which the detecting element is mounted, it is excellentdust-proof and drip-proof performance.

[0091] By forming the operating element in a ring shape and disposingthe switch at the inside position of the operating element, a firstsignal is obtained by rotary manipulation on the operating element, anda second signal is obtained by manipulation of the switch disposedinside. In addition, since the switch is disposed in the operatingelement, the projection area is smaller. When the top of the operatingelement is manipulated by rotating on a horizontal plane, the operatingelement can be rotated continuously without leaving the finger, and theswitch can be manipulated smoothly by moving the finger only slightly insuccession to rotary manipulation.

[0092] Small protrusions are formed at equal intervals on the concentriccircumference in the center of rotation of the operating element, on thetop of the operating element, and the finger catches against the smallprotrusions when rotating the top of the operating element on ahorizontal plane, and the finger hardly slips, and it is easier tomanipulate in a simple structure.

[0093] The electronic apparatus of the invention is realized by anexample comprising at least a memory unit storing plural pieces of data,a display unit for displaying the stored data, and a rotary manipulationtype input device, in which a desired item is searched from the datastored in the memory unit by rotating the operating unit, and thesearched item is decided by manipulating the switch disposed inside ofthe operating element. The top of the operating unit of the rotarymanipulation type input device is exposed from the appliance housing,and its top is rotated on a horizontal plane, and therefore search fromdata and decision can be done by a small finger motion, so that aneasy-to-use appliance excellent in controllability is realized.

[0094] The invention also brings about merits of realizing the magneticrotary manipulation type input device easy to synchronize between therotary click-feeling and signal output, and free from deterioration ofrotary click-feeling if manipulation is repeated, and the electronicapparatus mounting this rotary manipulation type input device is alsoexcellent in controllability.

[0095] This rotary manipulation type input device may also have a switchadditionally provided in an area range for rotary manipulation, and whensuch constitution is installed in an electronic apparatus, an apparatusmuch easier in use and excellent in controllability is realized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotary manipulation type input devicecomprising: an operating element for rotary manipulation; a ring-shapedmagnet magnetized in plural poles, being fitted to the lower side ofsaid operating element concentrically in the center of rotation; a basefor rotatably supporting said operating element; a detecting element fordetecting the rotation of said ring-shaped magnetic due to rotarymanipulation of said operating element without making contact; and amagnetic element fitted to said base so as to confront said ring-shapedmagnet, for generating an operation contact click-feeling by forming anattractive and repulsive force against said ring-shaped magnet.
 2. Therotary manipulation type input device of claim 1, further comprising amagnetic plate disposed between said operating element and saidring-shaped magnet.
 3. The rotary manipulation type input device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a mechanical block comprising saidoperating element, said ring-shaped magnet and said base; a substrate onwhich said detecting element is mounted; and a insulating sheet disposedbetween said mechanical block and said substrate.
 4. The rotarymanipulation type input device of claim 1, further comprising a switchpositioned inside of said operating element, wherein said operatingelement is shaped like a ring.
 5. The rotary manipulation type inputdevice of claim 4, wherein said operating element has small protrusionsdisposed at equal intervals on the concentric circumference in thecenter of rotation of said operating element.
 6. An electronic apparatuscomprising: a memory unit storing plural pieces of data; a display unitfor displaying at least a part of data stored in said memory unit; and arotary manipulation type input device comprising: an operating elementfor rotary manipulation of a ring shape having a switch disposed inside;a ring-shaped magnet magnetized in plural poles, being fitted to thelower side of said operating element concentrically in the center ofrotation; a base for rotatably supporting said operating element; adetecting element for detecting the rotation of said ring-shapedmagnetic due to rotary manipulation of said operating element withoutmaking contact; and a magnetic element fitted to said base so as toconfront said ring-shaped magnet, for generating an operation contactclick-feeling by forming an attractive and repulsive force against saidring-shaped magnet, wherein a desired item is searched from the datastored in said memory unit by rotating said operating element, and thesearched item is determined by manipulating the switch.